Vitamins and Other Supplements

Dietary (nutritional, food) supplements are intended to supplement the diet and provide nutrients that may be missing or in short quantity. In the US, dietary supplements include vitamins, herbs and other plant-derived products, minerals, amino acids, and parts or combinations of these products.5 Vitamins, a type of supplement, are organic (carbon-containing) compounds essential for growth and well-being. Minerals (example: calcium and potassium) are inorganic compounds needed for good health. Amino acids (example: tryptophan) are the building blocks of proteins. This page also includes hormones, encapsulated foods and other natural products used as dietary supplements today. Since there are a large number of supplements, we have listed herbs on a separate page.

How can this help?

Below is a sampling of vitamins and other supplements that have some potential to improve your platelet count and/or symptoms. Everyone is different, plus manufacturing conditions, brands, vitamin types, and dosages vary. It is important to seek the advice of a naturopathic doctor or other medical provider before taking any of these.

Vitamins

Folic acid (vitamin B9)

Folic acid is a water-soluble vitamin needed for numerous body functions including DNA repair and rapid cell division and growth, including blood cells. Folic acid deficiency may cause thrombocytopenia.4,11 In a study of 14 ITP patients given high doses of folic acid, 64% had a complete or partial response and the others showed some transient improvement.17 However, if someone has a low level of vitamin B12, high doses of folic acid may cause anemia and cognitive impairment.18

Vitamin C (L-ascorbic acid or L-ascorbate)

Vitamin C is an anti-inflammatory nutrient that is important for healing wounds, maintaining the integrity of capillaries, and absorbing iron from food. Since ITP is associated with inflammation6 and reducing bleeding symptoms is important, it is plausible that taking vitamin C could help ITP patients. Of all the vitamins and supplements, vitamin C has been the most studied in ITP. However, clinical results have been mixed, with very positive initial results2, but disappointing research results over time.8

Vitamin D

Vitamin D is a nutrient needed for healthy nerves, muscles, bones, and immune system. According to a Japanese study, vitamin D plays a valuable role in the function of hematopoietic stem cells, cells in the bone marrow that give rise to red blood cells, white blood cells, and platelets.9 Since low levels of vitamin D have been associated with autoimmune diseases26 and vitamin D can alter regulatory T-cells (a type of white blood cell), some researchers speculate it could be used to treat autoimmune diseases.15 Note that ITP is a T-cell mediated disease.19

Vitamin K

Vitamin K is essential for your blood to clot and for healthy bones. However its anti-inflammatory properties are less well known.1 In a large study, people with higher vitamin K levels had lower levels of 14 markers of inflammation, some of which are linked to chronic disease.20 You can get vitamin K from leafy greens such as kale, collards, and spinach, plus meat, eggs, and dairy products.

Other Compounds

Chlorophyll/Algae/Seaweed

There are many plant-based, green supplements used for healing. Chlorella, a type of green algae has been well-studied and it is clear that it binds to heavy metals, such as lead or mercury and can help eliminate them from the body. Chorella can also “reduce high blood pressure, lower serum cholesterol levels, accelerate wound healing, and enhance immune functions."16 In general, seaweeds act as natural chelators of heavy metals. They improve metabolism, increase ATP (adenosine triphosphate, an enzyme needed for healthy cells) production, and help regulate body temperature, energy levels, and immune function.14

Chlorophyll is the green pigment found in almost all plants, algae and in some bacteria. In PDSA’s Survey of Non-Traditional Treatments for ITP 19% felt chlorophyll had a positive effect on their platelet count and 33% felt it helped their bleeding symptoms.

Colostrum

Colostrum is the first secretion of the mammary glands before milk is produced, commercially extracted from cows and sold as a supplement. In nature, its primary purpose is to activate a baby’s immune system. In clinical trials it changed the number of T-cells and consequently, the immune system.7 Colostrum also contains immunoglobulins, with cows’ colostrum being particularly high in IgG.21 Since ITP is a T-cell mediated disease and often treated with IgG it is possible that colostrum could affect the course of the disease.

Melatonin

Melatonin, a hormone that regulates sleep/wake timing, is a strong antioxidant and used as a supplement for many conditions. Researchers in Italy published three papers documenting the positive effects on a total of six ITP patients.23,24,25 Some adverse events have been documented for a small number of patients taking melatonin.12

Moducare Sterinol

Moducare Sterinol is a commercial compound comprised of various plant sterols, substances in plants that resemble cholesterol. There has been considerable research on the cholesterol-lowering effects of plant sterols in the diet and in supplement form. These plant sterols can also have an anti-inflammatory effect.13

Noni fruit (Morinda citrifolia L.) juice

Noni juice has been used as a folk remedy in Polynesia for more than 2000 years. There are more than 150 research articles testing this juice for a variety of conditions including wound healing, memory restoration, and cancer. Research studies show Noni juice has significant anti-oxidant and anti-inflammatory properties.3

Risks

Supplements have biologic activity and, just as pharmaceuticals, may react differently in different people. Some supplements activate the immune system. Because people with autoimmune diseases such as ITP have an overactive immune system, these supplements can possibly worsen the disease.10 Others, such as Noni juice, may cause liver toxicity, although that connection for Noni is controversial.27,28 Supplements can interact with other medications. For example, people who are taking blood thinners are advised to avoid Vitamin K. Some vitamins and supplements, such as vitamin E and omega-3 fatty acids (fish oil), can make it more difficult for platelets to clot. See the Warnings page for more information.

Our experiences

We have heard from many people who report success with various vitamins and supplements. Here is a sampling. You can find more accounts in the Personal Stories section of the website.

“About three months ago, my doctor told me to take even more vitamin D (now over 2,000 IUs per day) and wonder of wonders, my last platelet count was up to 94,000, despite my having a cold. It hasn’t been that high in at least five years! I’m thinking that the vitamin D supplementation is working for me (along with prayer, faith, whole foods, exercise, rest, etc. all of which you advocate!)” -Jackie

“I don’t know if it was the Rocephin or the pomegranate extract I take each night or both or just coincidence, but this is the longest I’ve been without ITP for 20 years! The pomegranate extract, which I still take, tastes nasty, but I think it’s important to break the capsule with your teeth and absorb it under the tongue. I currently take 100 mg chewable vitamin C each night. This period of remission is really miraculous to me after 20 years of medical treatments, including splenectomy, which barely kept my platelet count out of the danger zone.” -Cynthia

“Luckily, a business friend of mine said to try Noni Fruit. His father had a blood disorder and this seemed to work for him. My doctor said not to try it, as we would not know what was working. However, I tried Noni Fruit anyway (400 mg capsules, two times a day) and Selenium (200 mg capsules two times a day) for about a month. I then cut back to one capsule each a day. Now I have had normal platelets for over three years! I told another younger boy’s mother about this and now he has been fine too! I don’t know why it works. I really think it was the selenium (lack of minerals), but who cares. I still take both.” -Lois